Monday, April 30, 2012

Hej hooo! A few weeks ago I was in shop heaven when I visited Malmö Modern which sells amazing scandinavian designer items and a few fab international pieces too including a selection from the very wonderful Scottish designer Donna Wilson. The good news is they've just opened an online shop too (sorry...Sweden only). As you'd expect, the owners have a very cool home which I thought I'd share with you. A cream bun for the person who can spy the most designer items?!!

Sunday, April 29, 2012

Sometimes renovating my home feels like a complicated puzzle and some pieces simply won't fit. I've been scratching my head over the dining table and chairs for ages. Should they be a set of Eames? Wegner? IKEA? A simple rough wooden bench? And then my friend Sofia came over at the weekend and suggested a complete mix. YEEEESSSS!! It's so much easier to find a vintage bargain of just one piece too. Here's my inspiration.....I can't wait to get started!

I found all of these lovely pictures on Pinterest. And I feel incredibly guilty that just for the next couple of hours I'm going to have to credit them through my 'Fine Dining' board. But as soon as I find a quiet moment (I am at home with my two little girls this morning who are 3 and 1!) I promise to come back and credit each photo.

Most people who suffer with allergy and sinus problems feel they must resort to using medications that have unpleasant and even dangerous side effects. For those who may be interested in safer, more natural alternatives, some of the following premium products by Shaklee may be of interest.

Scientists now believe 70% of the immune system is located in the gut … a good place to start to strengthen our immune system against allergic reactions. There appears to be a surprising correlation between symptoms of upper respiratory congestion and sinus discomfort to poor elimination in the lower intestines. This is often associated withan overgrowth of the Candida yeast organisms. An increasing number of Americans suffer from Candida when the essential friendly microbes Nature intended to reside in our intestines get destroyed by medications such as antibiotics, steroid-based drugs (e.g. asthma medications), oral contraceptives, and more. Couple this with a diet culture so entrenched in sweets, breads, baked goods, chips, and snacks that are the favorite foods of the Candida organisms.

A patented technology that allows the very fragile probiotics to pass through the highly acidic stomach protected by a triple encapsulation so they arrive exactly at the right location in the lower intestines.

Developed and extensively tested by immunologists in Japan, this proprietary blend of natural plant extracts is derived from pumpkin seeds, safflower flowers, plantago seeds, and Japanese honeysuckle flower buds. Nutriferon supports and stimulates the immune system by increasing the activity of macrophages (white blood cells) and inducing natural interferon production. It optimizes the body’s immune response against environmental irritants and airborne substances (as with allergies and asthma). Completely safe – no adverse reactions to these plant extracts recorded.

In addressing allergy and sinus problems, a two-fold approach is usually recommended:

1) Strengthen the immune system (as discussed above), and

2) Avoid products that could aggravate allergy and sinus conditions such as certain foods and cleaning products. Many cleaning products not only irritate the skin, but their odors can aggravate upper respiratory problems.

Step one in reducing toxins in and around our living space is to remove all toxic cleaning products from the home ..and replace them with the non-toxic, earth-friendly Get Clean Product line. Oprah Winfrey named these remarkable, effective, and yet inexpensive cleaners among her “favorite things”. They can be purchased individually or in the most popular Get Clean Starter Kit. The kit includes products for the kitchen, the bathroom, and the laundry ... in particular fragrance-free dryer sheets (made from vegetables and biodegradable), a pint of Basic H2 (that makes 48 gallons of all purpose cleaner for about $10), and Scour Off cleanser for pots, pans, and stove tops in the kitchen and for tile cleaning in the bathroom. Kosher certified.

Disinfectant made without cresol. Cresol is easily absorbed by the skin and causes digestive disturbances, nervous disorders, mental changes, skin eruptions, and jaundice. Basic G kills parvovirus, feline leukemia, distemper virus, and the AIDS virus onsurfaces. Note: for allergy and sinus relief in the winter when it’s dry, remember to use a humidifier with a few drops of Basic-G to inhibit bacterial growth.

production of white blood cells, enhances resistance to infection (viral and bacterial), anti-inflammatory, promotes wound healing, reduces mucous, relieves boils, gangrene, ulcerations, bites, abscesses, and fights candida. Also contains larchtree extract and elderberry to surround viruses and help prevent their reproduction. Best taken at onset of avirus. Can also be used as a zinc lozenge or made into a tea. Very soothing to sore throats.

Because the brain is the most sensitive organ in the body, many experts recommend eliminating foods and environmental irritants that could create brain allergies. (Source: Doris Rapp, M.D. “Is This Your Child’s World?”) Using Shaklee cleaning and personal careproducts may be helpful as they are based on a philosophy of “Living in Harmony with Nature.”

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Gardeners talk a lot about the weather. It's just a natural thing to do. Well, I can tell you one thing, the weather has been very peculiar here and if this is what global warming is about, I don't like it one bit! Our winter was almost non-existent with very little snowfall. Then in March, our traditional transition month, we had two weeks of very unseasonable warm weather to the point folks

Friday, April 27, 2012

As we drive through the valley this time of year, we never tire of the blossoming landscape.Their presence is fleeting so you must try and commit as many scenes to memory before the landscape springs to green.

Hej hej! And happy Friday! Today it's a very happy Friday for me simply because the sun is shining and spring is here. It's the simple things! And this home from the beautiful Norwegian blog Fryd og Design is the perfect home for a day like today. The pastels against the white backdrop are simply stunning.

Jeanette of Fryd og Design is one of the key speakers at The Hive blog event in Berlin in a few weeks time. As is Nina of wonderful blog, 79 ideas. I'd sooooo love to go, I wonder if I can convince man that I need to do two trips in the month of May (I'm already heading to London!)?!

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Sorry to do this to you folks, but I have just found the most incredible online shop! Now, I am not much of a linguist, trust me I tried 'google translate' but it didn't work....but I think this shop is based out of Amsterdam, Holland?! Any hooo if you have a child, neice, friend with a child, live down the road from a child, you'll love this shop Onszelf. Just in case you're not already sold, here are a few pics from the website...

FAAAB! The spotted duvet fabric from the Bambi collection is already on my little girls beds (in my mind) and I'm just planning where to add all the wallpaper and posters. Isn't this just really one of the coolest kids decor spots ever?!